COAL GROVE — The village of Coal Grove wants out from under a bridge. Village Administrator Joe Ross appeared before the Lawrence County Commissioners on Tuesday to begin formal proceedings to de-annex the U.S. 52 bridge and its seven right-of-ways from the village limits.
The property in question runs from Lane Street and U.S. 52 to the village limits. Ross told commissioners the bridge has become a financial burden: the village is on the hook for rock slides, electric bills and guard rail replacement tied to the structure and surrounding property. Ross provided commissioners with an information packet and asked the county auditor, county recorder and the Ohio Department of Transportation to review the governing laws. Back in January, the village council passed two resolutions to begin the de-annexation process, and the request must win commissioner approval before moving to ODOT for review.
Commissioner DeAnna Holliday acknowledged the strain, saying the bridge has been “a weight on the village, not just for your personnel, but your budget.” Ross called it a long process that the village has only just started, but said officials are determined to see it through. The Lawrence County commissioners are expected to take up the request at a future meeting.